Why is this important: Albania faces scrutiny for organized crime groups operating across borders. Strengthened ties with US agencies are seen as key to bolstering SPAK’s capacity to tackle drug trafficking, financial crime, and corruption.

Why is this important: As a candidate for European Union membership, Albania has made accession its top foreign policy priority. Prime Minister Edi Rama, in his address to the ambassadors, said that joining the EU within this decade must be the central focus of the diplomatic service. “These four years, which coincide with this agenda, are four years in which not a single day must be lost and where time does not wait to prepare all the ground for the support of the decision that will be taken by the European Council for Albania’s membership in the EU,” he said.

Why is this important: The declaration follows a heated exchange between Rama and Farage earlier this summer over the number of Albanians imprisoned in the UK. Farage has made deportations and stopping migrant boat crossings central to his party’s political agenda.

Why is this important: In the past ten months, Albania has opened five negotiation clusters and is expected to open the final one in mid-September. Clear timelines from Brussels signal the strongest momentum yet for Western Balkan accession.

Why is this important: The notion of exchanging territory between Kosovo and Serbia was among the most contentious ideas of that period. Grenell who at the time served as special envoy for the dialogue, has long maintained the U.S. focus was on economic normalization, and that border ideas complicated talks and inflamed opposition across the region.